Most leaders agree that effective collaboration is more important than ever. In a "do-more-with-less" reality, it takes ongoing teamwork to produce innovative, cost effective and targeted products and services. In fact, a company's very survival may depend on how well it can combine the potential of its people and the quality of the information they…

After every election, politicians say the same thing: "Now we have to reach across the aisle to work together for good of the people." And I hear similar proclamations (of working together for the good of all) from my corporate clients who are looking to break down the "silo mentality" of their companies. Sounds simple.…

If you really want to build a collaborative team, make sure you look like you do!

He had assembled a multi-level, multi-functional group – a diagonal slice of 30 people from across the organization – and had taken them off-site for two days to co-create the necessary steps for achieving the company’s new strategic plan. The hope was that collaboration and knowledge sharing would begin at this meeting and expand from…

Leadership is now a blend of personal and interpersonal skills that allow a leader to impact, include and inspire others

Most leaders agree that effective collaboration is more important than ever in today's turbulent business environment. A company's very survival may depend on how well it can combine the potential of its people and the quality of the information they possess with their ability – and willingness – to share what they know with their…

No leader, regardless of how brilliant and talented, is smarter than the collective genius of the workforce

Collaboration has become an essential ingredient for organizational success (perhaps even survival). And as organizations move toward more collaborative cultures, a new leadership model is emerging. That leadership model replaces command and control with trust and inclusion. The leader’s role is to encourage team members to see themselves as valued contributors, to help them build…

Values must be integrated into processes, policies and organizational behaviour before they become tangible

A sales manager read an article about his company’s refusal to deal with any country where under-the-table money was part of the negotiation process. He circled the article and wrote the words “Right on!” in the column, and mailed it to his CEO. The attached note said: “I’m proud to work in a company whose…

Collaboration is also intrinsically inspiring because it has an emotional payoff. People like being part of a winning team

Some years ago, when I was speaking to a group of executives about change leadership, the topic of collaboration came up. On a whim I asked, "How many of you are totally comfortable sharing information with others in your organization?" I was astonished when out of an audience of about 200, only three hands went…

Nine groups await word from Ottawa on which gets to tap the $950-million supercluster innovation fund

The supercluster effect is one of the intriguing outcomes of dangling dollars in front of sectors hungry for innovation investment. Nine groups await word from the federal government on which gets to tap the $950-million supercluster innovation coffer. Ottawa established the fund last year to help reshape the Canadian economy and set it up for future…

Create mini-cultures to make your group feel safe, valued, important and needed

Recently, I spoke on “The Power of Collaborative Leadership" to business audiences in The United Arab Emirates, Scotland, England, The Netherlands, Belgium, Canada and four states of the U.S. Audience members represented industries including engineering, manufacturing, retailing, construction, shipping, technology, energy, utilities, printing, pharmaceuticals and consulting – plus a range of government agencies. After my…

The new leadership is a blend of personal and interpersonal skills that form the basis of your ability to impact, influence and inspire others

Most executives agree that collaboration is more important than ever in today's turbulent business environment. A company's very survival may depend on how well it can combine the potential of its people and the quality of the information they possess with their ability – and willingness – to share that knowledge throughout the organization. Deloitte’s recent Future of Work…